Extractor cleaning machine

ABSTRACT

An extractor including a housing, a suction source disposed within the housing, and a suction nozzle in communication with the suction source and movable relative to the housing. The extractor also includes a recovery tank carried by the housing, and the suction source is in communication with the recovery tank for drawing fluid through the suction nozzle and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank. A cleaning chamber disposed on the housing receives a portion of the suction nozzle, and the cleaning chamber is configured to selectively receive a fluid along a fluid flow path in communication with the cleaning chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This applications claims priority to co-pending, prior-filed U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,920, filed Nov. 11, 2015, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to extractor cleaning machines and, moreparticularly, to self-cleaning extractor cleaning machines.

Typically, extractor cleaning machines include components for applying afluid to a surface and extracting the fluid from the surface. Forexample, extractor cleaning machines may include a fluid distributionsystem, an agitator brush, a pump, and a suction fan. The agitator brushis used to scrub the surface being cleaned. The suction fan generates avacuum force that draws in fluid, dirt, or waste from the surface beingcleaned. Some extractor machines include an accessory hose assembly andtools to clean above-floor surfaces. For example, the accessory toolsmay be used for cleaning drapes, steps, and furniture. The accessoryhose assembly provides a conduit for drawing fluid and dirt from thesurface to the extractor and sometimes also distributes cleaning fluidusing a pump.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides an extractor including ahousing, a suction source disposed within the housing, and a suctionnozzle in communication with the suction source and movable relative tothe housing. The extractor also includes a recovery tank carried by thehousing, and the suction source is in communication with the recoverytank for drawing fluid through the suction nozzle and storing the drawnfluid in the recovery tank. A cleaning chamber disposed on the housingreceives a portion of the suction nozzle, and the cleaning chamber isconfigured to selectively receive a fluid along a fluid flow path incommunication with the cleaning chamber.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an extractor in accordance withone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the extractor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an accessory tool of the extractor ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the extractor of FIG. 1, illustrating asupply tank removed from a housing of the extractor.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a portion of the extractor of FIG. 1,illustrating a supply tank, a mode valve assembly, and a cleaningchamber.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an extractor in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an extractor in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning chamber valve ofthe extractor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the cleaning chambervalve of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the extractor takenalong line 10-10 of FIG. 4, illustrating a suction nozzle being insertedinto the cleaning chamber.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the mode valve assembly of the extractorof FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the mode valve assembly taken alongline 12-12 of FIG. 11, illustrating the mode valve assembly in a firstposition.

FIG. 13 is a similar cross-section view as FIG. 12, illustrating themode valve assembly in a second position.

FIG. 14 is a similar cross-section view as FIG. 12, illustrating themode valve assembly in a third position.

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a portion of an extractor according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of a portion of the extractor of FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a portion of an extractor according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a portion of an extractor according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a portion of an extractor according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of “including”and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as usedherein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms“mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an extractor cleaning machine 20 (hereinafterreferred to simply as an “extractor”). In the illustrated embodiment,the extractor 20 is typically referred to as a portable, a handheld, orcanister-type extractor that is operable to clean a surface such as, forexample, a floor. In other embodiments, the extractor 20 may be, forexample, an upright extractor. In some embodiments, the extractor 20 isadapted to clean a variety of surfaces, such as carpets, upholstery,curtains, hardwood floors, tiles, or the like. The extractor 20typically distributes or sprays a cleaning fluid (e.g., water,sanitizer, detergent, or a mixture of water and sanitizer or detergent)onto the surface to clean the surface. The extractor 20 then draws thecleaning fluid and dirt off of the surface, leaving the surfacerelatively clean.

The illustrated extractor 20 includes a housing 22, a supply tank 24 forstoring a cleaning fluid, and a recovery tank 26 for storing dirtyfluid. Both the supply tank 24 and the recovery tank 26 are carried bythe housing 22. A handle 28 is coupled to the housing 22 to facilitatemoving and carrying the extractor 20. The extractor 20 also includes asuction source 29 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1) supported by anddisposed within the housing. The suction source 29 is driven by a motor31 (shown schematically in broken lines in FIG. 1) that is powered (byline or battery) to selectively drive the suction source 29. The suctionsource 29 is operable to draw the cleaning fluid and dirt from thesurface. Specifically, the suction source 29 is in communication withthe recovery tank 26 for storing the drawn cleaning fluid and dirt inthe recovery tank 26. The extractor 20 further includes a hose end 30 incommunication with the suction source 29 and moveable relative to thehousing 22 (FIG. 2). The hose end 30 is extended from the suction source29 via a hose 32. When left exposed, the hose end 30 is a suctionnozzle. The hose end 30 may be gripped by an operator for movement ofthe hose 32 and hose end 30 for cleaning. The hose end 30 may include acheck valve that inhibits liquid from flowing back out the hose end 30when the suction source 29 is turned off. The check valve may include anelastomeric flap or flaps and the like. In some embodiments, the checkvalve may include a duckbill type check valve.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the extractor 20 may include anaccessory tool 34 for cleaning the surfaces and when connected to thehose end 30 the accessory tool 34 is in communication with the suctionsource 29. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the accessory tool34 may be stored on the housing 22 when not in use. While in use andattached to the hose end 30, an operator can grip the hose end 30, theaccessory tool 34, or both to move the accessory tool 34 for cleaning.The accessory tool 34 includes a cleaning head 40 with an intake nozzle44 that operates as a suction nozzle when connected to the hose end 30for drawing dirty fluid from a surface. In the illustrated embodiment,the cleaning head 40 includes a non-powered agitator, e.g., a brush 46,to help scrub or otherwise clean a surface. Also, the cleaning head 40of the illustrated embodiment is removable from the accessory tool 34such that different cleaning heads (i.e., 40 a, 40 b, etc.) can be usedto clean surfaces (e.g., furniture, drapes, steps, etc.). In otherembodiments, the cleaning head 40 may include a motor or turbine-poweredagitator and/or removable or non-removable cleaning heads.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the supply tank 24 of the extractor 20is removably coupled to the housing 22. The supply tank 24 may beretained via a latch mechanism 48. Similarly, the recovery tank 26 isalso removably coupled to the housing 22. The recover tank 26 may beretained via a separate latch mechanism 50. As such, the supply tank 24and the recovery tank 26 can easily be filled and/or emptied by anoperator at a remote location. Optionally, as in the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the supply tank 24 may include two or more compartments, such asa sanitizing fluid tank 52 for storing a sanitizing fluid, and acleaning fluid tank 54 for storing a cleaning fluid such as water,detergent, or a mixture of water and detergent. As best illustrated inFIG. 5, the sanitizing fluid tank 52 includes a sanitizing fluid inlet56 to allow sanitizing fluid to enter the sanitizing fluid tank 52, anda sanitizing fluid outlet 58 to discharge sanitizing fluid from thesanitizing fluid tank 52. Similarly, the cleaning fluid tank 54 includesa cleaning fluid inlet 60 to allow cleaning fluid to enter the cleaningfluid tank 54, and a cleaning fluid outlet 62 to discharge cleaningfluid from the cleaning fluid tank 54. The sanitizing fluid outlet 58and the cleaning fluid outlet 62 include valves (not shown) thatautomatically open when the supply tank 24 is attached to the housing 22and that automatically close when the supply tank 24 is removed from thehousing 22, as in one example, poppet valves. In another embodiment, oneor more of the fluid supply tank 24 and recovery tank 26 are notremovably coupled to the extractor cleaning machine 20, instead beingconfigured for filling and emptying on the extractor 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the extractor 220 includes acontainer inlet 263 in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber268, the pump 64, or both, such that a container 265 receivable in thecontainer inlet 263 is the supply tank 224, or is in addition to thesupply tank 224. The container inlet 263 may be configured to receive asingle-use container purchased at a retail or other commercial outlet,or a re-fillable container, or other container for providing fluid tothe extractor 220. For convenience, the extractor 220 including itssupply tank 224 and fluid delivery system are stated and described usingcleaning fluid and sanitizing fluid; however, the extractor 220 is notlimited. All of the components of the extractor 220 may be configured toprovide water, detergent, stain releaser, cleaner, sanitizer,maintainers, finishes, other fluids, or any mixture or mixtures thereof.In other embodiments such as FIG. 7, the extractor 320 includes a fluidinlet port 386 in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber 368. Inthis embodiment, the cleaning chamber 368 is configured to selectivelyreceive fluid from the supply tank 324, the fluid inlet port 386, or acombination of the supply tank 324 and the fluid inlet port 386. Thefluid inlet port 386 may be a hose connector configured for connecting ahose from a household plumbing fixture or faucet. Alternatively, thefluid inlet port 386 may be configured as a container inlet to receivefluid from a single-use container purchased at a retail or othercommercial outlet, or a re-fillable container, or other container forproviding fluid to the extractor 320.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the extractor 20 further includes afluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system includes a pump 64 thatis in fluid communication with the supply tank 24 and further incommunication with a switch (not shown). The switch is configured todeactivate the pump 64 and the suction source 29 in a first state.Otherwise, when the switch is in a second state, the fluid deliverysystem is enabled to selectively deliver cleaning fluid from the supplytank 24 through the pump 64, such as to the surface to be cleaned, alonga first fluid flow path 66, which may include a tube or conduit, andthrough a distribution nozzle 42. The distribution nozzle 42 may bepositioned adjacent the hose end 30 for distribution of fluid adjacentthe accessory tool 34 when the accessory tool 34 is attached to the hoseend 30, for example. Alternatively, the distribution nozzle 42 may beindependent of the hose 32 attached to the housing 22 or remote from thehousing 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fluid flow path 66is supported along the hose 32 in order to be in communication with thedistribution nozzle 42 on the hose end 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the hoseend 30 includes a trigger 38 that, when depressed, activates the pump 64to provide cleaning fluid through the distribution nozzle 42 from thesupply tank 24. In an alternative embodiment, a controller is configuredto deactivate and activate the pump 64 and the suction source 29 inresponse to one or more inputs such as the trigger 38 or a mode valveassembly 88 (FIG. 1) being actuated, amount of fluid in the supply tank24 and/or recovery tank 26, pressure in the system, or other variables.

The illustrated extractor 20 is configured for the hose 32 to draw fluidfrom the supply tank 24, and optionally other sources, to flush fluidthrough the hose 32. With reference to FIGS. 8-10, the extractor 20further includes a cleaning chamber 68. The cleaning chamber 68 isdisposed on the housing 22 and is capable of receiving a portion of thehose end 30 (FIG. 10). The cleaning chamber 68 is configured toselectively receive fluid, such as one or more of the detergent fluidand the sanitizing fluid along a second fluid flow path 70 of the fluiddelivery system. The extractor 20 further includes a cleaning chambervalve 72 (FIG. 8) configured to selectively permit introduction of thecleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber 68. The cleaning chamber valve72 includes a valve housing 74 configure to receive at least a portionof the hose end 30, and a plunger 76 that is actuatable between a closedposition to inhibit the cleaning fluid from entering the cleaningchamber 68, and an open position to permit the cleaning fluid to enterthe cleaning chamber 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 76has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the valvehousing 74 such that an annular or other shaped gap exists between theplunger 76 and the valve housing 74. The cleaning chamber valve 72further includes a port that is in communication with the supply tank24. As shown in FIG. 9, the port may be integrally formed in a porthousing 78. A spring 80 of the cleaning chamber valve 72 is interposedbetween the plunger 76 and a wall or surface opposite the plunger 76,such as the port housing 78 as shown in FIG. 9, to force the plunger 76toward the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, inserting thehose end 30 into the valve housing 74 actuates the plunger 76. The hoseend 30 moves the plunger 76 toward the open position compressing thespring 80 when the hose end 30 is inserted into the cleaning chamber 68(FIG. 10). In one alternative, not shown, the hose end 30 seals againstthe valve housing 74. Suction at the hose end 30 provided by the suctionsource 29 draws fluid along the second fluid flow path 70 extracting thecleaning fluid from the supply tank 24 and into the cleaning chamber 68.In turn, the cleaning fluid continues through the hose end 30, the hose32, and into the recovery tank 26 flushing fluid through the hose end 30and the hose 32 for purposes of at least partially cleaning the hose 32.In alternative embodiments, the plunger 76 may be actuated by anactuator operably connected a switch, lever, controller, or othermechanism for moving the plunger 76 between the closed position and theopen position. In alternative embodiments, the port housing 78 is weldedto, attached to, molded with, or otherwise integral with the valvehousing 74.

The cleaning chamber valve 72 further includes one or more rubbergaskets or O-rings (i.e., a plunger seat gasket 84) to close thecleaning chamber valve 72 when the hose end 30 is not inserted in thecleaning chamber 68. Other gaskets or seals (not shown) may be providedas desired to prevent leakage of the cleaning fluid into or out of thecleaning chamber 68 and maintain suction in the cleaning chamber valve72 when the hose end 30 is positioned in the cleaning chamber 68 suctionand the suction source 29 activated.

With reference to FIGS. 11-14, the extractor 20 further includes themode valve assembly 88. The mode valve assembly 88 includes a mechanicalvalve 92 for selectively switching between a first positioncorresponding to a first mode (i.e., a deactivated suction mode) inwhich the suction source 29 is deactivated, a second positioncorresponding to a second mode (i.e., a wash mode) connecting the fluiddelivery system to the cleaning fluid tank 54, and a third positioncorresponding to a third mode (i.e., a sanitize mode) connecting thefluid delivery system to the sanitizing fluid tank 52. The mode valveassembly 88 includes a first inlet port 102 in communication with thesanitizing fluid tank 52, a second inlet port 106 in communication withthe cleaning fluid tank 54. The mode valve assembly 88 selectivelyconnects the sanitizing fluid tank 52 and the cleaning fluid tank 54with an outlet port in communication with the fluid flow path 66. In theillustrated embodiment, the mechanical valve 92 of the mode valveassembly 88 includes a valve cap 94, and a valve body 96 coupled to thevalve cap 94 for at least partially supporting a first gate valve 98 anda second gate valve 100. As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the first gatevalve 98 has the inlet port 102 in communication with the supply tank24, and an outlet port 104 downstream of the inlet port 102 and incommunication with the fluid delivery system and the cleaning chamber68. Similarly, the second gate valve 100 has the inlet port 106 incommunication with the supply tank 24, and an outlet port 108 downstreamof the inlet port 106 and in communication with the fluid deliverysystem and the cleaning chamber 68. The outlet ports 104, 108 are incommunication with each other. The first gate valve 98 includes a gate110, and the second gate valve 100 also includes a gate 112, in whicheach gate 110, 112 is forced by springs 114, 116 toward a closedposition. The mode valve assembly 88 includes a mode knob 90 that isuser-manipulable and supported by the housing 22 to actuate the valve.

The mode knob 90 includes a cam body 118 (FIGS. 13 and 14) thatprotrudes away from the underneath-side of the mode knob 90 toward thevalve body 96. The cam body 118 is selectively enagageable with the gate110 of the first gate valve 98 and the gate 112 of the second gate valve100 such that the cam body 118 is capable of imparting a force on theeach gate 98, 110 to actuate each gate 98, 100 toward an open position.Further, the mode knob 90 is engageable with a micro-switch 120 (e.g., alimit switch) of the mode valve assembly 88 to electrically communicatewith the motor 31 of the suction source 29 and the pump 64 of the fluiddelivery system such that the mode knob 90 is capable of activating anddeactivating the motor 31 and the pump 64 (FIG. 11). Specifically, themode knob 90 engages the micro-switch 120 in the first position todeactivate the motor 31 and the pump 64, whereas the mode knob 90engages the micro-switch 120 in the second position and third positionto activate the motor 31 and the pump 64. In other embodiments, themicro-switch 120 may be supported by the housing 22 of the extractor 20and user-manipulable such that an operator can directly depress themicro-switch 120 and control operation of the motor 31 and the pump 64.

During use, an operator manipulates (e.g., rotates) the mode knob 90away from the deactivated suction mode, in which the gates 110, 112 ofthe first gate valve 98 and the second gate valve 100 are forced by thesprings 114, 116 in the closed position. To wash or sanitize thesurface, an operator rotates the mode knob 90 to the wash mode or thesanitize mode, respectively. When the mode knob 90 is rotated, forexample, to the wash mode, the motor 31 and the pump 64 are activatedand the cam body 118 moves the gate 110 of the first gate valve 98toward the open position to permit the detergent fluid to flow throughthe gate 110 from the cleaning fluid tank 54 while the gate 112 of thesecond gate valve 100 is in the closed position (FIG. 13). Conversely,when an operator rotates the mode knob 90, for example, to the sanitizemode, the motor 31 and the pump 64 remain activated and the cam body 118moves the gate 112 of the second gate valve 100 toward the open positionto permit the sanitizing fluid to flow through the gate 112 from thesanitizing fluid tank 52 while the gate 110 of the first gate valve 98is in the closed position (FIG. 14). As such, the cleaning fluid (i.e.,detergent fluid or sanitizing fluid) flows along the first fluid path 66and is pumped by the pump 64 onto the surface to be cleaned through thedistribution nozzle 42 (if the trigger 38 is depressed). If the trigger38 is not depressed, the pump 64 may continue to operate, but thecleaning fluid is not discharged from the distribution nozzle 42. Thesuction source 29 simultaneously draws dirty fluid and waste from thesurface through the hose end 30 where the recovery tank 26 receives andstores the dirty fluid and waste. However, some dirty fluid and wastemay remain on the hose end 30 and/or hose 32 after cleaning the surface.Therefore, the cleaning chamber 68 is provided to wash or flush (e.g.,sanitize) the hose end 30 and hose 32 in wash mode or sanitize mode,respectively.

In order to wash or flush the hose end 30, an operator inserts the hoseend 30 into the cleaning chamber 68. Subsequently, the plunger 76 movestoward the open position to introduce the cleaning fluid (i.e., thedetergent fluid or the sanitizing fluid) into the cleaning chamber 68.The cleaning fluid flows through the supply tank 24, the second fluidflow path 70, the port housing 78, and the gap between the plunger 76and the valve housing 74. The cleaning fluid is provided to the cleaningchamber 68 at least partially by gravity and suction from the suctionsource 29. In other embodiments, the cleaning fluid may be supplied tothe cleaning chamber 68 via the pump 64 of the fluid delivery system,either individually or in combination with suction from the suctionsource 29.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of the extractor 420 having a cleaningchamber 468 according to another embodiment. The extractor 420 issimilar to the extractor 20 described above with reference to FIGS.1-12, and similar parts have been given the same reference number plus400. Only differences between the embodiments are described.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cleaning chamber 468 of the illustratedembodiment includes a duckbill valve 472 instead of the cleaning chambervalve 72 to selectively permit introduction of the cleaning fluid intothe cleaning chamber 468. The duckbill valve 472 includes a first endhaving an opening, and an intermediate portion that converges toward asecond end having a flat gate. The duckbill valve 472 is disposed withinthe cleaning chamber 468 in communication with the supply tank 424 viathe second fluid flow path 470. The flat gate of the duckbill valve 472is moveable between a closed or “default” position, in which fluid isinhibited to flow (i.e., prevent backflow from the supply tank 424 tothe cleaning chamber 468), and an open position, in which fluid ispermitted to flow.

In operation, the hose end 430 is inserted in the cleaning chamber 468.Suction at the hose end 430 provided by the suction source draws fluidalong the fluid flow path 470 through the duckbill valve. As such, thecleaning fluid is permitted to enter the hose end 430. Alternatively oradditionally, the cleaning fluid is supplied to the cleaning chamber 468via the pump 464 of the fluid delivery system.

FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of the extractor 520 having a cleaningchamber 568 according to another embodiment. The extractor 520 issimilar to the extractor 20 described above with reference to FIGS.1-12, and similar parts have been given the same reference number plus500. Only differences between the embodiments are described.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cleaning chamber 568 of the illustratedembodiment is in communication with the second fluid flow path 570 andthe supply tank 3524 without a valve disposed therebetween.Specifically, the second fluid flow path 570 is open to air. In thiscase, the pump 564 does not feed the cleaning fluid to the cleaningchamber 568. Rather, the suction at the hose end 530 provided by thesuction source 29 is utilized for drawing the cleaning fluid from thesupply tank 524 to the cleaning chamber 568 when the hose end 530 isdisposed in the cleaning chamber 568. Also, gravity may work alone or incombination with the suction source 529 to provide a gravity feed of thecleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber 568. The pump 564 is acentrifugal pump and is utilized strictly to feed the cleaning fluidalong the first fluid flow path 566 toward the accessory tool 534.Occasionally, air may collect in the centrifugal pump 564 which, inturn, requires the pump 564 to be primed (i.e., filled totally withwater) prior to operating. Leaving the second fluid flow path 570 opento air enables the pump 564 to be primed with ease.

During operation, the hose end 530 is inserted in the cleaning chamber568. Subsequently, the suction at the hose end 530 provided by thesuction source 529 draws cleaning fluid from the supply tank 524 alongthe second fluid flow path 570. Cleaning fluid can also be fed along thefirst fluid flow path 566 via the centrifugal pump 564 toward thesurface to be cleaned. Air that is entrained during operation of thecentrifugal pump 564 escapes to atmospheric air through the second fluidflow path 570. In other embodiments, suction of the suction source 529may work in combination with gravity feed to deliver the cleaning fluidto the cleaning chamber 568.

FIG. 18 illustrates a portion of an extractor 620 having a cleaningchamber 668 according to another embodiment. The extractor 620 issimilar to the extractor 20 described above with reference to FIGS.1-12, and similar parts have been given the same reference number plus600. Only differences between the embodiments are described.

As shown in FIG. 18, the accessory tool 634 operates as the suctionnozzle. As such, the cleaning chamber 668 receives the accessory tool634 in its entirety. In some embodiments, the cleaning chamber 668 mayreceive only a portion of the accessory tool 634 (e.g., the intakenozzle 644 and agitator 646), in which case is more suitable if theagitator 646 is a rotary brush that spins in response to a turbine thatrotates as air is drawn passed the turbine. Although the accessory tool634 of the illustrated embodiment is mounted vertically within thecleaning chamber 668, the accessory tool 634 may be mounted horizontallywithin the cleaning chamber 668 or in any other orientation. In anyorientation, the intake nozzle 644 can be positioned at a low pointwithin the cleaning chamber 668 so as to draw out all of the liquid fromthe cleaning chamber 668. Optionally, at least one spray jet 669 is incommunication with second fluid flow path 670 and provided within thecleaning chamber 668 to direct the cleaning fluid toward the accessorytool 634 to clean the accessory tool 634 and/or the agitator 646 of theaccessory tool 634. The accessory tool 634 is coupled to the hose end630 and hose 632, which is further in communication with the suctionsource 629 and the recovery tank 626.

During operation, the accessory tool 634 is mounted within the cleaningchamber 668. The cleaning fluid is expelled from the at least one sprayjet 669 toward the accessory tool 634 to clean the accessory tool 634 ofwaste, and the cleaning fluid and waste is temporarily collected withinthe cleaning chamber 668. Once the cleaning fluid collected in thecleaning chamber 668 reaches a predetermined height such as along aninclined floor of the chamber 668 (indicated by line 671), the cleaningfluid and waste are drawn into the intake nozzle 644 of the accessorytool 634 (indicated by arrows 673). Thus, the accessory tool 634, theintake nozzle 644, and the hose 632 are cleaned simultaneously, whilethe cleaning fluid and waste are discharged into the recovery tank 626.

FIG. 19 illustrates a portion of the extractor 720 having a cleaningchamber 768 according to an alternative embodiment. The extractor 720 issimilar to the extractor 620 described above with reference to FIG. 18,and similar parts have been given the same reference number plus 100.Only differences between the embodiments are described.

As shown in FIG. 19, the accessory tool 734 is a plurality of accessorytools that are received within the cleaning chamber 768 to clean theaccessory tools 734 of waste. In the illustrated embodiment, the hoseend 730 and hose 732 are coupled to the cleaning chamber 768 via a drainreservoir 775, such that the hose 732 does not connect to either of theaccessory tools 734. In an alternative embodiment, the accessory tools734 may be connected together and to the hose 732 via a split or T-hosein a similar construction to the embodiment of FIG. 18.

During operation, the fluid expelled from the at least spray jet 769toward the plurality of accessory tools 734 is collected in the cleaningchamber 768. In this case, the cleaning fluid and waste that iscollected in the cleaning chamber 768 is drawn out of the cleaningchamber 768 through the drain reservoir 775. Subsequently, the cleaningfluid and waste flows through the hose 732 and expelled and stored inthe recovery tank 726.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a self-cleaning systemfor an extractor cleaning machine. Although the invention has beendescribed in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments,variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one ormore independent aspects of the invention as described.

What is claimed is:
 1. An extractor comprising: a housing; a suctionsource disposed within the housing; a suction nozzle in communicationwith the suction source and movable relative to the housing; a recoverytank carried by the housing, wherein the suction source is incommunication with the recovery tank for drawing fluid through thesuction nozzle and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank; and acleaning chamber with the housing for receiving at least a portion ofthe suction nozzle, wherein the cleaning chamber is configured toselectively receive a fluid along a fluid flow path in communicationwith the cleaning chamber.
 2. The extractor of claim 1, wherein thefluid flow path provides fluid communication between a supply tank andthe cleaning chamber.
 3. The extractor of claim 2, wherein the supplytank is removably coupled to the housing.
 4. The extractor of claim 2,further comprising a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with thecleaning chamber, wherein the cleaning chamber is configured toselectively receive fluid from the supply tank, the fluid inlet port, ora combination of the supply tank and the fluid inlet port.
 5. Theextractor of claim 4, where the fluid inlet port is configured toselectively receive fluid from a container.
 6. The extractor of claim 4,wherein the fluid flow path provides fluid from the supply tank, thefluid inlet port, or a combination of the supply tank and the fluidinlet port, to the recovery tank when the portion of the suction nozzleis received in the cleaning chamber.
 7. The extractor of claim 6,wherein the suction source is in communication with the hose for drawingthe cleaning fluid from the supply tank through the second fluid flowpath and the hose to the recovery tank when the portion of the suctionnozzle is received in the cleaning chamber.
 8. The extractor of claim 2,wherein the fluid flow path provides fluid from the supply tank to therecovery tank when the portion of the suction nozzle is received in thecleaning chamber.
 9. The extractor of claim 8, further comprising a hosebetween the suction source and the suction nozzle.
 10. The extractor ofclaim 1, further comprising a fluid inlet port in fluid communicationwith the fluid flow path.
 11. The extractor of claim 10, wherein thefluid flow path provides fluid communication from the fluid inlet portto the recovery tank when the portion of the suction nozzle is receivedin the cleaning chamber.
 12. The extractor of claim 1, wherein thesuction source is in communication with the cleaning chamber for drawingthe cleaning fluid from the supply tank through the fluid flow path tothe recovery tank when the portion of the suction nozzle is received inthe cleaning chamber.
 13. The extractor of claim 1, further comprising ahose between the suction source and the suction nozzle.
 14. Theextractor of claim 1, wherein the supply tank includes a first fluidtank for storing a first fluid, and a second fluid tank for storing asecond fluid.
 15. The extractor of claim 14, further comprising auser-selectable mode valve assembly, the mode valve assembly including avalve selectively switching between a first mode connecting the firstfluid tank to the fluid flow path and a second mode connecting thesanitizing fluid tank to the fluid flow path.
 16. The extractor of claim15, wherein the mode valve assembly includes a first inlet port incommunication with the first fluid tank, a second inlet port incommunication with the second fluid tank, the valve connecting the firstfluid tank and the second fluid tank with an outlet port incommunication with the fluid flow path.
 17. The extractor of claim 15,wherein the mode valve assembly includes a third mode connecting thefirst fluid tank and second fluid tank to the fluid flow path.
 18. Theextractor of claim 15, further comprising a fluid delivery system incommunication with the fluid flow path that selectively delivers fluidto a surface to be cleaned.
 19. The extractor of claim 18, wherein thefluid delivery system is at least partially supported by the suctionnozzle.
 20. The extractor of claim 1, further comprising a fluiddelivery system in communication with the fluid flow path thatselectively delivers fluid to a surface to be cleaned.
 21. The extractorof claim 20, wherein the fluid delivery system is at least partiallysupported by the suction nozzle.
 22. The extractor of claim 1, whereinthe cleaning chamber includes a valve configured to selectively permitintroduction of the cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber.
 23. Theextractor of claim 22, wherein the valve includes a plunger actuatablebetween a first position to inhibit the cleaning fluid from entering thecleaning chamber, and a second position to permit the cleaning fluid toenter the cleaning chamber.
 24. The extractor of claim 23, wherein theplunger is forced by a spring toward the first position, and the suctionnozzle moves the plunger toward the second position when the portion ofthe suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber.
 25. Theextractor of claim 1, wherein the suction nozzle is a cleaning tool, andthe cleaning chamber receives the cleaning tool, wherein the cleaningchamber includes at least one spray for spraying fluid toward thecleaning tool within the cleaning chamber.
 26. The extractor of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of cleaning tools, wherein the cleaningchamber receives the plurality of cleaning tools and the portion of thesuction nozzle.
 27. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the fluid flowpath is in communication with a pump providing fluid to the cleaningchamber.
 28. The extractor of claim 1, wherein a controller deactivatesthe suction source in response to one or more inputs selected from agroup consisting of a user actuated switch, amount of fluid in thesupply tank, amount of fluid in the recovery tank, time, and airpressure in the system.